Who's who in the Comics Bulletin Universe - Update 2008
Who is... Michael A. Diaz?
Michael Diaz lives in Michigan, but don't hold that against him.
There he works as a Sys. Admin. while fostering dreams of one day becoming a "real" writer.
Most importantly, Michael is seriously addicted to comics, something that his wonderful wife tolerates with the patience of a saint.
He also writes this weekly column that people occasionally read.
"[O]ne of the most positive
and entertaining columns going."
- Gail Simone (Birds of Prey, Villains United)
WLG #175: Ultimate Green Supreme!
We're keeping it short and sweet this week as I quickly dive into the books that are geeking me out more than anything else.
But first, as always, is this:
GEN 13 #1 $2.99 (Gail Simone / Talent Caldwell)In my opinion Gail writes one of the best team books out there right now, the one that I am constantly hailing here at WLG: Birds of Prey. Personally, I’ve never really been all that interested in Gen 13 except for briefly when it was known as Gen X because of the cool promotional art by J. Scott Campbell, but after buying the first issue or so I got bored with it.
So what brings me back to this reincarnation that I don't really care for? The very thing that I mentioned above: Gail Simone's proven strength at writing a team book.
It's no secret that I am a huge fan of the aforementioned Birds of Prey so now that she's playing in the WildStorm Universe I have to at least check it out.
GREEN ARROW #67 $2.99 (Judd Winick / Scott McDaniel)OK, so maybe the idea of a “training issue” last issue was something a tad cliched, something that's been seen in just about every comic book series and action film for as long as can be remembered, but that doesn't mean that they can't be effective and FUN!
Yes, we all know that Green Arrow is the best that there is with a bow and arrow (at least in the DC Universe; I'm avoiding emails about Hawkeye) but let's face it, even the best can get soft if they don't remember to challenge themselves (it's here that I'd like to invoke the training scene from Rocky IV as well as the “you're the best around, nothing's ever going to keep you down” song from The Karate Kid). Also, GA bringing in villains as well as heroes to show him how to fight is something we've seen before, but really, after decades of comics what's really new anymore? The simple fact is that I enjoyed it thoroughly and LOVE it when I see Ollie whip out that sword of his.
Who ever said that the best couldn't get even better?
I've been a big fan of this book for a while and for me it just keeps getting better. I've now decided that Winick is now never allowed to leave this book.
Because I carry so much weight and all that.
Still, this is good stuff people, so if you're not checking it out maybe you should be. It's a good time to do so as GA is rebuilding himself again, an ideal place for a new reader to jump on for the ride.
WORLDSTORM #1 $2.99 (Various / Various)Say what you will, but for years now the WildStorm Universe has been my favorite universe, so much so that I obsessed about ever single issue of Captain Atom: Armageddon. Now, months later we the readers get to see the after effects of the Woldstorm, the soft-reset of the entire WildStorm Universe.
PUNISHER #39 (MR) $2.99 (Garth Ennis / Goran Parlov)You know, it's easy to forget that the Punisher, or rather, the man that was once Frank Castle, is still a human being and, yes, actually has emotions. He doesn't show them all that often, but when it comes down to it Frank has a tremendous capacity for love, and its flip side, hate. It was Frank's deep love and devotion for his family that lead him to this life of retribution and punishment.
So yes, the Punisher can care and maybe even still love. This isn't a facet that hasn't been explored for some time, so it's a nice twist to see a woman being used as a type of bait to lure the Punisher out from where he's been hiding.
Good stuff.
ULTIMATE POWER #1 (OF 9) $2.99 (Brian Michael Bendis / Greg Land)The crossover between the Ultimate and the Supreme universe, the first part written by Bendis and the art chores by Greg Land: can you say DROOOOOL!?
The art is going to be luscious and you know that this is going to be a rough and tumble story for all sides involved.
I can't wait!
Was there something that did it for you this week? If so, stop by the What Looks Good message boards (see link below) and spread the love, my friend.
Until then,
Peace!
-Diaz
Were Diaz's picks on the mark?
Have your say on What Looks Good at the Looking Good message board.